The question of Pakistan's national identity : a study of Islamist and Secularist narratives

Abstract

Pakistan has been grappling with the question of its national identity since its establishment in August 1947. Pakistan was created as a result of an immense political movement based on the two-nation theory. Since its creation, the question of Pakistan's future national identity has been the central debate in the country. Following the Objectives Resolution in 1949, Pakistan's National Assembly established that sovereignty belongs to God and that the principles of democracy, equality, tolerance, freedom, and social justice shall be fully observed as "enunciated by Islam". Moreover, Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives individually and collectively according to the Holy Qur'an and the Sunna. Minority groups can profess and practise their religions and develop their cultures freely. Further, Pakistan became an 'Islamic Republic' on 23 March 1956, 16 years after the Lahore Resolution in 1940 called for a sovereign, independent homeland for Indian Muslims. However, the notion of an 'Islamic Republic' has created a debate between Islamists and secularists regarding what Pakistan should be and what it actually is. Therefore, this research aims to identify why Pakistan was created, what national identity means for Pakistan's national discourse, and what challenges are associated with Pakistan's national identity formation. This thesis argues that Pakistan's national identity is Islamic and not secular. This is based on three facts: subcontinental Muslim Nationalism; Jinnah's Islamic national paradigm; and Pakistan's Islamic-based constitution. In an attempt to develop this argument, this study addresses the main research question: "How do Islamists and secularists define and interpret Pakistan's national identity in light of Pakistan's colonial history and the events surrounding its creation?". This study uses a qualitative approach employing semi-structured interviews and secondary data from official documents and Jinnah's speeches to investigate the research problem, which is the crisis of Pakistan's national identity. This qualitative research approach helps to understand Muslim nationalism in the subcontinent and the reason for partition, particularly Pakistan's national identity. This research finds that Pakistan's national identity is predominantly Islamic and not secular. The findings of this study also clarify that Islam has been the definitive source of Pakistan's national identity and legitimacy since the independence movement and its creation in August 1947. All of Pakistan's constitutions (1958, 1962, and 1973) purify Pakistan's Islamic identity. However, at the same time, Pakistan faces disorientation regarding its national identity and a persistent conflict with multiple ethnic identities.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English